गृह मंत्रालय Ministry of Home Affairs

Subject :- National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) ¡V Annual Plan of Action 2005-06 for implementation thereof.

Sir,

• I am directed to say that Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has taken a number of initiatives to meet social and developmental needs of the older people of the country¡¦s population. That Ministry has formulated a National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP).
• The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, being the nodal Ministry for the welfare of the Older Persons has to establish linkages and networks with other Ministries and State Goverments/ UT Administrations in order to develop effective programmes for the care and support of the elderly. To carry forth this mandate, the National policy envisages action to be taken by each Ministry to implement the aspects concerning them.
• Being vulnerable, older persons often become victims of various crimes in the society. The Annual Plan of Action 2005-06 prepared for the welfare of the older persons, inter alia, include the steps to be taken for providing security of life and property of older persons. The relevant extract of the Annual Plan of Action 2005-06 reads as follows:-
  • State Governments to be advised to direct the police Departments to pay special attention to the security to the life and property of older persons and keep a friendly vigil.
  • State Governments to sensitize the police force at the field level, specially SHOs, on the security concern of the elderly.
  • State Governments be advised to formulate a comprehensive Action Plan regarding safety and security of older persons including, inter alia, the following action points:
  • Identification of the pockets inhibited by older persons.
  • Personal visit to the homes of the older persons.
  • Monitoring and mandatory review of older persons¡¦ cases by senior police officers at the district level.
  • Setting up of help line for the welfare of older persons.
  • The Police and Public Order are State subjects and, therefore, it is the primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/ UT Administrations to take action for prevention and control of crimes including crimes against Older Persons. It is, therefore, requested that necessary action may be taken by the State Governments/UT Administrations on the above Action Plan for the year 2005-06 and a report be provided to the undersigned for information on this Ministry.
  • The Delhi Police has taken a number of measures to control crime against Old Persons living in Delhi. A note on action taken by Delhi Police is enclosed herewith. The State Govt. / UT Administrations may consider taking similar measures in their States/UTs.
  • Receipt of this letter may kindly be acknowledged.

Yours faithfully,

(A.K.SRIVASTAVA)
Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India